Pairing Damian Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to extend the veteran point guard's prime in a winning situation. Unfortunately, it's done the opposite. He's only managed to play in seven playoff games for them in two years. And that might the extent of the Hall of Famer's disappointing stay with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lillard worked hard recently to return early from an issue with blood clots. However, in the 2+ games since his return, he shot 6-for-27 for a total of 21 points. That includes an 0-for-2 run in the opening stages of Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers before he went down with a nasty-looking non-contact injury to his lower left leg.
Damian Lillard goes down with a non-contact injury.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 28, 2025
Prayers. 🙏
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The play happened just six minutes into Game 4 in Milwaukee as Lillard was jumping forward to grab a long rebound. At the time of the injury, the Bucks were down 15-12. The Pacers would go on an 8-1 run right after Lillard's exit and never look back as they went up 3-1 in the series.
Lillard, Giannis could depart after 3rd straight playoff disappointment
Anyone who's seen an Achilles tear live before can probably tell that Damian Lillard is in trouble. In the moment just before he goes down, one can pretty clearly see a pop in his right ankle, which generally means his Achilles snapped. NBA insider Chris Haynes and the Bucks training staff concurred that was the likeliest scenario.
Sources: The fear is Bucks star Damian Lillard suffered a left Achilles tear. Brutal circumstance after working himself back from a blood clot diagnosis that kept him out over a month. https://t.co/NgQtMpm0yE
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 28, 2025
With Lillard likely done for the year and the Bucks on the precipice of elimination, all signs point to that Game 4 rebound being Dame's final contribution for the Bucks.
It will take Lillard, who will be 35 in July, near a year to return from this injury. There had already been rumors swirling about a Lillard trade this summer, with the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat coming out as favorites to land him. Lillard is under contract next year and has a huge player option for 2026-2027, but the injury would mean his price in the trade market takes a massive hit.
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Alarmingly, this third straight quick first round exit—they haven't even made it to a Game 7—likely doesn't mean just Lillard's last game with the Bucks. It probably means franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo will be headed for greener pastures too. Haynes suggested as much if the team didn't make a deep playoff run, which they likely won't.
There has been Giannis trade talk for a couple of years now, so it's not crazy to suspect he's ready for a new challenge as well. Without Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks will finally be free to do a proper restart built around youth.
They might not get much for Dame, but they should get a stupid haul for Giannis that should set them on their merry rebuilding way.
Head coach Doc Rivers and company will hope they can stave off the end of this era for at least one more game as the Bucks look to avoid elimination in Game 5 on Tuesday in Indiana.
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